Walrus Audio DEFCON 4: A new Ryan Adams pedal about to launch?

Ryan Adams gets another pedal

Ryan Adams and JHS caught our eye last year with their stylish VCR pedal. So our attention was piqued when we heard that the American singer-songwriter has come up with a new pedal, this time in collaboration with Walrus Audio: the DEFCON 4.

DEFCON 4

DEFCON refers to the defence condition in the USA. It is divided into five levels: 5 means absolute peace, while DEFCON 1 means the crap is hitting the fan. Level 4 is called peacetime, with increased security measures. Apparently, this new pedal was inspired by the 1983 movie “WarGames” – Mr Adams is a lover of all things ’80s!

EQ and Boost?

In keeping with this, there are four parameters on the DEFCON 4 pedal. The controls along the top are 3-band EQs with fixed frequencies (that should suit a Strat or Les Paul) and 5 notched positions for raising or lowering the volume. Each band is turned on separately. The Launch switch is a boost based around a 10 dB MOSFET circuit. That should be enough to give you that little extra when needed.